$39 glasses

[Paul]

It has been a while since we had a glasses thread, I think.

I had read on another venue about 39dollarglasses.com, a web site that takes order for glasses and has an optical company ship them to you. The prices start at $39 for basic frames and single-vision polycarbonate lenses. Other frame and lens combinations cost more. You need to have your prescription (they do not try to examine your eyes over the Internet), and if it does not include your pupillary distance you have to measure that yourself, which I did. (In certain states, PD has to be measured by a doctor or optician. My optometrist doesn't put in on the prescription; he assumes that the optician will measure it, but I don't live in one of those states.)

I was thinking about doing a trial order for a $39 pair to replace the distance glasses that I've had since about 1992, but then something unfortunate happened to my bifocals just as I was going out of town. I had no time to go to an optical company, nor were they open at that hour, so I ordered a pair of progressive bifocals and they arrived the day after I got back. I was especially pleased that there was an option to upgrade to Varilux lenses, because I have always been most comfortable with them and the optical department at my HMO doesn't offer them. The total cost was a bit less than my out-of-pocket cost would have been at the HMO, even after applying the HMO allowance for frames and lenses.

I'm very happy with the lenses. The frames are nothing special (they're made in China, not Italy as are most of the frames I've seen at optical companies) but they are OK since I was not looking for anything exotic.

[Franca]

Great info, Paul, thanks! I've bookmarked the site. I think I'm going to need a new pair of progressives this year. Sigh.

[ktinkel]

I had read on another venue about 39dollarglasses.com …Very interesting. Years ago I bought glasses while traveling from a “cheap glasses” place, and they were disappointing in every aspect. But I had broken mine and was blind as a bat at the time, so they at least kept me from falling off the curb!

Recently I tried a pair of variable lens glasses from Costco, and it turned out they did not offer Varilux but some competitive thing, and those too were a disaster; Costco graciously took them back and refunded my money.

Before that I did not realize that the curves or whatever in progressive bifocals were patented and different from one brand to another. In fact, Varilux has a couple of different configurations; I like the Comfort one.

But since I pay hundreds of dollars for progressives, I think I will check these guys out for a backup pair. Thanks for mentioning it.

[PeterArnel]

I like big ones - where u can swirl the red wine around and really get the nose in :-(

[ktinkel]

I like big ones - where u can swirl the red wine around and really get the nose in :-(Of course! And the lovely narrow ones for champagne, that optimize the bubbles.

[iamback]

I'm very happy with the lenses. The frames are nothing special (they're made in China, not Italy as are most of the frames I've seen at optical companies) but they are OK since I was not looking for anything exotic.But who's going to fit the frames to your head?

[PeterArnel]

champagne - this has beome an interesting subject. They have found that the soil in Kent is the same as in Champagne and have started producing - what is considered on a par or if not better than the real stuff - The French are now buying up estates in the UK

[ktinkel]

champagne - this has beome an interesting subject. They have found that the soil in Kent is the same as in Champagne and have started producing - what is considered on a par or if not better than the real stuff - The French are now buying up estates in the UKSo long as they do not try to call it champagne, they should do well.

Some American bubbles are good (some not); and so are quite a few non-Champagne bubbles from France. And I like a good proseco from Italy, too.

And if you want a treat, find some Alsatian bubbles, based on dry riesling!

I adore wine with bubbles! Would have it every day if I weren’t married to such a stick-in-the mud who likes variety!

[PeterArnel]

mmmmmmm
U dont like Lambruska do u
Peter
I left a message about a banjo player called Sara Grey - has Jack ever heard of her???

[ElyseC]

Before that I did not realize that the curves or whatever in progressive bifocals were patented and different from one brand to another. In fact, Varilux has a couple of different configurations; I like the Comfort one.And until just now I never knew it either! Well pooh. Guess I shouldn't give up on progressive lenses, just pony up for the Varilux.

After trying whatever progressive version LensCrafters offered me, I returned them and got ugly ol' line bifocals, because the usable reading area in the magnified part of the lenses was just too tiny. To do normal reading I had to wag my head a bit back and forth to keep an entire line in focus. Not acceptible! Because of that I wrote off all progressives and have put up with the line and looking older than my years when I wear them. <sigh>

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

I've used Varilux since they first came out -- made for me while I was on holiday in France one year. I've had another make, once, when I asked for Varilux but was supplied another make and did not know it until the next replacement with a different optician who pointed out that every lens is branded and can be identified.

In the USA, Varilux (Essilor) are just down the road from us but it still takes time to get the lenses.

[iamback]

And if you want a treat, find some Alsatian bubbles, based on dry riesling!Ahh, a good dry Riesling - that's about the only wine I [i]really[/] like! Especially in the summer, sitting on my balcony. :D

Otherwise, I'm a beer person.

[ktinkel]

Ahh, a good dry Riesling - that's about the only wine I [i]really[/] like! Especially in the summer, sitting on my balcony. :D

Otherwise, I'm a beer person.If you run into the sparkling type, give it a try. It is lovely, that riesling taste and tiny bubbles.

[Michael Rowley]

KT:

It is lovely, that riesling taste and tiny bubbles

That's a matter of opinion: to me, Sekt (which if you're lucky, is made only from Riesling) is a foul waste of Riesling, which can give the finest white wine in the world.

[PeterArnel]

They nsay thats its the bubbles in the stomach make the alcohol act quicker
Peter

[Steve Rindsberg]

Matching frames to head ... and getting the lenses properly centered up with your eyes: yes.

Very important, especially with progressive lenses and even more so if you're astigmatic. I'm blessed in both ways and couldn't focus on *anything* with my latest pair of glasses; I was convinced they'd messed up the prescription until the optician did a few readjustments and voila, they were fine. And have been since.

Odd. Usually I can work out when adjustment's a problem just by moving the glasses around with my fingers. Ah well. It works.

[iamback]

Matching frames to head ... and getting the lenses properly centered up with your eyes: yes.

Very important, especially with progressive lenses and even more so if you're astigmatic. I'm blessed in both ways and couldn't focus on *anything* with my latest pair of glasses; I was convinced they'd messed up the prescription until the optician did a few readjustments and voila, they were fine. And have been since.I'm blessed the same way :) - and need two glasses as well, one fixed focus for long distances and one with progressive lenses for work: computer & read distance. And when you switch glasses as much as I do, that adjustment can get out of whack within a year or so. My optician is so nice to send an invitation every year for a special tune up: cleaning the frames, fastening screws, refitting the frame on your head, etc. - whatever needs doing. All free - just service.

Where would I go if I ordered my glasses online? I actually wouldn't dream of doing that.